Open AccessAssociation of Physical Fitness With the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Author(s) -
Zhu Wengen,
Shen Yang,
Zhou Qiongqiong,
Xu Zhenyan,
Huang Lin,
Chen Qi,
Hong Kui
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.22552
Subject(s) - medicine , physical fitness , confidence interval , meta analysis , relative risk , study heterogeneity , cochrane library , physical therapy , lower risk
Several studies have investigated the role of physical fitness in atrial fibrillation ( AF ), but the results remain controversial. We aimed to estimate the association between physical fitness and risk of AF . We comprehensively retrieved data from the Cochrane Library, PubMed , and Embase databases until February 29, 2016, for studies evaluating the association of physical fitness with the risk of AF . Data were abstracted from included studies, and effect estimates were pooled using a random‐effects model. Six studies with a total of 205 094 participants and 15 919 AF cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria. When physical fitness was assessed as a continuous variable, per incremental increase of physical fitness was associated with a 9% reduced risk of AF (risk ratio [ RR ]: 0.91, 95% confidence interval [ CI ]: 0.84‐1.00, P = 0.05). When physical fitness was assessed as a categorical variable, the risk of AF was significantly reduced ( RR : 0.51, 95% CI : 0.28‐0.91, P = 0.02) in individuals with the highest level of physical fitness compared with those with the lowest level. The intermediate vs the lowest level of physical fitness was associated with a 28% reduced risk of AF ( RR : 0.72, 95% CI : 0.56‐0.93, P = 0.01). The sensitivity analysis indicated that these results were stable. Notably, there was evidence of statistical heterogeneity across studies; therefore, we should interpret the results cautiously. In conclusion, published literature supports that a higher level of physical fitness is associated with a lower risk of AF . Further studies should be performed to confirm these findings.